Introduction

Soon, 32 teams will be converging at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa to what is claimed to be the biggest sporting spectacle on Earth. It is the first time that the World Cup takes place on African soil. Will this be the World Cup where an African nation can claim the trophy, or will traditional contenders such as Brazil, Italy or Germany once again pull the strongest card in the finals? The outcome will be settled in the final match the 11th July at the newly reconstructed Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.

Group A

In group A hosts South Africa will face an uphill battle to advance in the tournament. France, 2006 runners-up, is favorites to top the group, but experienced campaigners Mexico and Uruguay will both fight hard to claim their piece of the fame. Mexico has reached the world cup finals five times in a row now - on all four previous occasions they reached the round of 16. Meanwhile it has been two decades since Uruguay made it through the group stages, and the fans are as demanding as ever to restore the glory years of Uruguayan football.

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Group B

Group B is perhaps, on paper at least, the most difficult group to predict. Two-time World Cup winners Argentina looks like a sure favorite to win group B. The unstable forces of Maradona will be hard pressed against Nigeria, Greece and South Korea though; all teams have proven that they can go a long way in the finals. In 1998 Nigeria was the dark horse to snatch the trophy but a very strong performance by Denmark in the 1/8 finals grounded the Super Eagles from Nigeria. Now the World Cup is played on African soil – can Nigeria surprise everybody and go all the way?

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Group C

As tradition dictates it England enters the world cup as favorites to finish top. The Three Lions have disappointed before though, and the English fans can only hope that Capello’s discipline and focus will enable England to go all the way. USA, Slovenia and Algeria will be the contenders for the second place in group C. The sturdy results by the USA in the Confederations Cup 2009, makes the Stars ‘n’ Stripes the most likely side to advance. Both Slovenia and Algeria have astounded during the qualifiers and maybe group C is in for a big surprise.

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Group D

The well-worn ‘group of death’ tag may well apply to this section. The always strong machine of Germany will be in for a hard fight against Ghana and Serbia. The latter beat France to pole position in their qualifying section, and Ghana was the first African team to reach the 2010 finals, not losing one match before the ticket had been secured. Lastly, Australia will also join in the fray. The Socceroos performed admirably in World Cup 2006 and advanced to the latter stages before being eliminated by a controversial penalty awarded to Italy in the dying seconds of stoppage time.

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Group E

In group E Holland, Denmark, Japan and Cameroon will clash together in what may turn out to be one of the tightest sections in the tournament. The Oranje lie third in the world rankings and was one of two teams to qualify to World Cup 2010 with 100 per cent records: Expect the Flying Dutchmen to rocket into the knockout stages. However, Cameroon, Japan and Denmark are all dangerous opponents with plenty of major finals knowhow. The Indomitable Lions from Cameroon have been rebuilt as a powerhouse of the African continent lead by deadly marksman Eto’o. Denmark reached the round of 16 on each of their previous tilts in 1986, 1998 and 2002, and the Danish Dynamite claimed top spot in the qualifiers over Sweden and Portugal.

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Group F

The current world champions Italy has been handed a dream draw, allowing the Azzurri to find their rhythm in time for the knockout stages. Paraguay and Slovakia are ranked 30th and 34th in the world rankings, and New Zealand must be considered the weakest of the nations in the finals. Paraguay is favorites to claim second place in the section, but Slovakia is filled with players from the Bundesliga and will not go down without a fight. New Zealand has nothing to lose and will be doing their very best to upset the apple cart.

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Group G

By many regarded as the toughest section. Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire and Portugal have all stated their aim is to win the World Cup 2010. Great footballers such as Kaka, Didier Drogba and Christiana Ronaldo are on parade in group G, and the section will bring hours of gripping football. Brazil heads to South Africa as the Copa America and Confederations Cup holders, and must be top favorites in the final. Portugal and Les Elephants from Côte d'Ivoire are both contenders in the fray though and both are dark horses to claim the title. Korea DPR is the great unknown. The team appears to be in for a great ride.

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Group H

Favorites alongside Brazil to lift the desirable World Cup trophy in Johannesburg, Spain is delighted with their draw and it will shock many should the team fail to top the group. Spain won all ten of their qualifying matches. Chile shocked in the South American qualification group, finishing second overall 1 point behind Brazil and well clear of juggernaut Argentina. Lead by top scorer Humberto Chupete Suazo the Chileans is favorites to advance into the latter stages where they is expected to face Brazil at first. Switzerland and Honduras will both be revelations in World Cup 2010 should any of the teams manage to advance beyond the group stages.

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